Wartime Story Leads Divers to Underwater WWII Wreck of Missing US Pilot

[Disir]

The identity of a U.S. warplane pilot, missing in action for almost 75 years, has been revealed after a diving expedition to the wreck of his aircraft, on a coral reef alongside a remote Japanese island called Iriomote Jima.

The researchers, Justin Taylan and Michael McAlonie visited the wreck site and determined the aircraft is an F4U-4 Corsair fighter-bomber piloted by U.S. Marine 2nd Lt. John McGrath, who has been listed as missing since he took part in an attack in July 1945 during World War II.

A wartime battle report recorded that McGrath's warplane had failed to recover from a dive during a rocket attack on Japanese positions at Iriomote Jima.
Until now, McGrath's remains have not been identified, which makes him one of nearly 73,000 Americans "missing in action," (MIA) from WWII.
Wartime Story Leads Divers to Underwater WWII Wreck of Missing US Pilot

Very cool.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Thank you Disir

Honolulu Memorial | American Battle Monuments Commission

 

[whitehall]

It's nothing new. There has been an ongoing effort for decades to locate and return the remains of American and Allied heroes underwater and in jungles.

 

[Oddball]

 

[Ridgerunner]

It's nothing new. There has been an ongoing effort for decades to locate and return the remains of American and Allied heroes underwater and in jungles.

While it is true that it is nothing new, it is a miracle when it happens...

 

[whitehall]

The non-profit organization known as "History Flight" recovered the remains of another 35 Marines/Sailors on Tarawa in March 2019. It seems that reality shows on cable are more interested in the recovery of ancient remains than relatively recent remains of American heroes. Marines always had the shitty end of the stick and while the remains of Army heroes are usually recovered intact in Europe the dirty little secret is that Navy Admirals during WW2 ordered the bulldozing of American graves to make room for an airfield on Tarawa and Marine body parts are recovered in fragments. After Marines gave so much to take the Island the recovery efforts by people like "History Flight" are mostly ignored because the remains were intentionally scattered by Navy (Seabee?) bulldozers to build an airfield. Shameful.

 

[Camp]

The non-profit organization known as "History Flight" recovered the remains of another 35 Marines/Sailors on Tarawa in March 2019. It seems that reality shows on cable are more interested in the recovery of ancient remains than relatively recent remains of American heroes. Marines always had the shitty end of the stick and while the remains of Army heroes are usually recovered intact in Europe the dirty little secret is that Navy Admirals during WW2 ordered the bulldozing of American graves to make room for an airfield on Tarawa and Marine body parts are recovered in fragments. After Marines gave so much to take the Island the recovery efforts by people like "History Flight" are mostly ignored because the remains were intentionally scattered by Navy (Seabee?) bulldozers to build an airfield. Shameful.

Heck of an accusation to make without links for backing up your allegation.

 

[RetiredGySgt]

The non-profit organization known as "History Flight" recovered the remains of another 35 Marines/Sailors on Tarawa in March 2019. It seems that reality shows on cable are more interested in the recovery of ancient remains than relatively recent remains of American heroes. Marines always had the shitty end of the stick and while the remains of Army heroes are usually recovered intact in Europe the dirty little secret is that Navy Admirals during WW2 ordered the bulldozing of American graves to make room for an airfield on Tarawa and Marine body parts are recovered in fragments. After Marines gave so much to take the Island the recovery efforts by people like "History Flight" are mostly ignored because the remains were intentionally scattered by Navy (Seabee?) bulldozers to build an airfield. Shameful.

Lets see make an airfield to win the war or spend months looking for bodies..... Yup dumb as bricks.

 

[whitehall]

You guys never heard of it?